Guest post by aturner
Map tips: each color represents a different day. Click a marker to learn more about the spot, and click the star in the map header to save the entire map under Your Places in Google Maps.
Day 1: Venice
- Rialto Bridge
- Hotel Principe
The first day in Venice, Italy was all about relaxing from the plane ride and wandering the streets looking for food and taking in the scenery. Rialto Bridge is the most famous one in all the pictures. We did not make the best choices for food on our first day because we had lunch and dinner at places that were touristy and so the food wasn’t amazing. Regardless, the city was so unique and breathtaking and we enjoyed sitting at a table next to the water to take in the view. After exploring we went back to our hotel called Principe, it was very nice and we really loved our room because it was spacious for three people.
Day 2: Venice
- Murano, Venice
- Piazza San Marco
- Basilica di San Marco
- Bridge of Sighs
The next day we woke up early to jump on a boat for Murano, the island where you can watch artist make beautiful creations from Murano glass. After stopping by Murano, we stopped by St. Marks Square and learned about the history, art, and culture of Venice in the Doge’s Palace and the Basilica of San Marco. We also walked the Bridge of Sighs into the prisons of Venice that looked far from comfortable. Our tour guide explained everything to us, from the meaning behind the color in a piece of artwork, to the personalities of some of the Doges which made the tour very educational. From there we grabbed lunch at a local cafe and then jumped onto a Gondola. Being on a Gondola ride was such a breathtaking experience, and I do not think the Venice experience is complete without it. Afterwards, we wanted to eat somewhere quiet so we walked towards a restaurant that wasn’t by the busy shops. We ate at a seafood restaurant on the back patio covered in flowers with stray cats everywhere and the food was very fresh and delicious.
Day 3: Tuscany
- Fattoria Il Poggio
- Leaning Tower of Pisa
On day 3 we hopped on the public transit and then got onto a coach bus that took us to Tuscany. We stopped at a family owned winery/farm (Fattoria Il Poggio) that made everything from the land and we learned about the process of how they make olive oil. We then were served some pasta, snacks, and lots of wine. It was very enjoyable but we could not stay long because we needed to leave for Pisa. Seeing the leaning tower was fun and a unique experience but its something that you only need to see for 30 minutes and then you are ready to move on. When we first arrived in Florence it was around dinner time so we explored for the rest of the night and stopped in a Trattoria for dinner and the food was very fresh and delicious.
Day 4: Florence
- Florence Academy of Fine Arts
- Piazza della Signoria
- Ponte Vecchio
- Uffizi Gallery
First thing in the morning, we went to see Michelangelo’s statue of David and the Prisoners. Then, we saw all of the outdoor statues and saw the old bridge as we learned about the history and meaning behind many of the pieces from our tour guide who was very passionate about Florence. We then grabbed an amazing sandwich from the “Two Sisters Cafe” and then headed over to the Uffizi Gallery which was donated by the Medici family. The famous artwork was breathtaking and I really recommended at least seeing the major pieces in this gallery since it is so large you could be in there for days. After this tour, we went to dinner at a Tuscan village and then called it a night after a long day of walking.
Day 5: Assisi
On day five we woke up early and traveled to Assisi. It was a beautiful medieval town on a hill with an amazing view. We toured the quiet and sacred Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi from the 13th Century. Afterwards, we headed towards Rome and when we finally arrived we grabbed a bite to eat for dinner and explored more.
Day 6: Rome
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
On day 6 we woke up bright and early to beat the crowd to the Vatican. We then toured the Vatican Museum and walked down the long halls of beautiful artwork. And finally, we walked into the Sistine Chapel. We stayed in the Chapel for what felt like 5 minutes but was really 45 minutes because it was so incredible to see Michelangelos masterpiece. Upon leaving the chapel, we went straight into the St. Peters Basilica where we saw the gorgeous Pieta as well as all of the pieces that were dedicated to the Popes. After touring the Basilica for quite some time we stopped by a piazza to eat some amazing pizza. After doing so, we toured other piazzas and learned about the Eternal City and went to the Fountain but sadly it was under construction so we were not able to throw our coins in.
Day 7: Rome
- Roman Forum
- Colosseum
- Opera House
On our last day, we learned about the development of Rome and the leaders as well as the fall of Rome as we explored the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, and the saw the ruins of Julius Caesars palace. And finally, we went to the Colosseum which was absolutely amazing to be standing inside. After touring all day we went to an Opera in Rome and it was very fun and entertaining but the dinner was terrible. Afterwards, we wandered the streets one last time before leaving for the states in the morning.
Traveled in May 2015
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